AIMS Games tournament director Vicki Semple. Photo / George Novak
AIMS Games tournament director Vicki Semple. Photo / George Novak
September will bring thousands of young athletes from around the country and pump $6 million into the local economy as the annual Anchor AIMS Games returns to Tauranga.
This time last year the "heartbreaking" decision was made to cancel the intermediate-aged sports tournament because of Covid-19, with national safety apriority.
Now, registrations for the 2021 tournament, to be held from September 5 to 10, were "looking really good", tournament director Vicki Semple said. They were on par with the 2019 game that hosted more than 11,000 athletes — more than the Rio Olympics.
Semple has been part of the games since they began in 2004 when there were just 17 schools and 700 athletes.
Every September, thousands of 11- to 13-year-olds compete in individual and team sports. There is an opening ceremony, live-stream coverage and world-class facilities.
AIMS Games tournament director Vicki Semple. Photo / George Novak
The opening ceremony is expected to host 10,000 people split across two venues. "The 2021 Anchor AIMS Games is full steam ahead, and we're really excited."
Semple said they have had inquiries from Australia and the Cook Islands with New Zealand opening up quarantine-free travel to those areas, but organisers were still deciding whether to accept international registrations.
She said it was important to deliver the event as safely as possible, based on guidance from the Ministry of Health. This included pre-event education, good hygiene, mandatory use of the Covid tracer app, and communication to get alerts out quickly.
"If any region is placed into alert level 2 or above, it may have significant impacts on the AIMS Games depending on the timeframe.
"The health and safety of participants, spectators, event staff, contractors, volunteers, the Tauranga community, and the country as a whole is of paramount importance to us."
Semple said it had been "absolutely heartbreaking" to pull the plug on what would have been the 17th year of the annual event last year.
Once the decision was made, the "challenging" process of working through logistics with venues and contractors began.
Then it was straight to planning for this year's games with a big focus on the health and safety plan.
She said the games were lucky to have the support of the Tauranga City Council and TECT.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley. Photo / File
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley estimated the games would bring more than $6 million into the local economy in the week it runs.
He said the event was "massive" and the city "really missed out last year when it was cancelled".
He said the "huge" number of athletes and their entourages filled shops, restaurants, and accommodation.
"Most locals are patient with the extra traffic knowing the economic benefit the event brings and sense of pride people have in sharing our slice of paradise with visitors," he said.
Tauranga Intermediate principal Cameron Mitchell said the games were part of the school's culture and they had already signed up more than 300 students — as they do every year.
The school took pride in the games that former principal, Brian Diver, helped come up with in 2003 alongside Otumoetai Intermediate School principal Henk Popping.
"It's an important part of our school's culture. The tournament atmosphere is unbelievable. It's such a well-run event on such a big scale."
Hospitality NZ accommodation sector Bay of Plenty chairman and 850 Cameron Motel owner Tony Bullot said they were booked out for the games, but there was still accommodation in the city as not everywhere accepted children.
He said the games were "huge" and accommodation across the board was "looking very good".
Tauranga Intermediate School principal Cameron Mitchell. Photo / File
Hospitality New Zealand Bay of Plenty regional manager Alan Sciascia said the hospitality industry looked forward to the games, bringing a much-needed boost to the region's economy.
"Covid has created a lot of problems for businesses reliant on domestic and international tourism, and the loss of the games last year compounded the problem."
Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said the games were also a "great advertisement" for the region.
The retail and hospitality sectors would especially appreciate the boost.
